Proverbs 31

1The words of Lemuel, king of Massa: the teaching which he had from his mother.

1The words of king Lamuel. The vision wherewith his mother instructed him.

2What am I to say to you, O Lemuel, my oldest son? and what, O son of my body? and what, O son of my oaths?

2What, O my beloved, what, O the beloved of my womb, what, O the beloved of my vows?

3Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which is the destruction of kings.

3Give not thy substance to women, and thy riches to destroy kings.

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to take wine, or for rulers to say, Where is strong drink?

4Give not to kings, O Lamuel, give not wine to kings: because there is no secret where drunkenness reigneth:

5For fear that through drinking they may come to have no respect for the law, wrongly judging the cause of those who are in trouble.

5And lest they drink and forget judgments, and pervert the cause of the children of the poor.

6Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter:

6Give strong drink to them that are sad; and wine to them that are grieved in mind:

7Let him have drink, and his need will go from his mind, and the memory of his trouble will be gone.

7Let them drink, and forget their want, and remember their sorrow no more.

8Let your mouth be open for those who have no voice, in the cause of those who are ready for death.

8Open thy mouth for the dumb, and for the causes of all the children that pass.

9Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need.

9Open thy mouth, decree that which is just, and do justice to the needy and poor.

10Who may make discovery of a woman of virtue? For her price is much higher than jewels.

10Who shall find a valiant woman? far, and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her.

11The heart of her husband has faith in her, and he will have profit in full measure.

11The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils.

12She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.

12She will render him good, and not evil all the days of her life.

13She gets wool and linen, working at the business of her hands.

13She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands.

14She is like the trading-ships, getting food from far away.

14She is like the merchant's ship, she bringeth her bread from afar.

15She gets up while it is still night, and gives meat to her family, and their food to her servant-girls.

15And she hath risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and victuals to her maidens.

16After looking at a field with care, she gets it for a price, planting a vine-garden with the profit of her work.

16She hath considered a field, and bought it: with the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.

17She puts a band of strength round her, and makes her arms strong.

17She hath girded her loins with strength, and hath strengthened her arm.

18She sees that her marketing is of profit to her: her light does not go out by night.

18She hath tasted, and seen that her traffic is good: her lamp shall not be put out in the night.

19She puts her hands to the cloth-working rod, and her fingers take the wheel.

19She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle.

20Her hands are stretched out to the poor; yes, she is open-handed to those who are in need.

20She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor.

21She has no fear of the snow for her family, for all those in her house are clothed in red.

21She shall not fear for her house in the cold of snow: for all her domestics are clothed with double garments.

22She makes for herself cushions of needlework; her clothing is fair linen and purple.

22She hath made for herself clothing of tapestry: fine linen, and purple, is her covering.

23Her husband is a man of note in the public place, when he takes his seat among the responsible men of the land.

23Her husband is honourable in the gates, when he sitteth among the senators of the land.

24She makes linen robes and gets a price for them, and traders take her cloth bands for a price.

24She made fine linen, and sold it, and delivered a girdle to the Chanaanite.

25Strength and self-respect are her clothing; she is facing the future with a smile.

25Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the latter day.

26Her mouth is open to give out wisdom, and the law of mercy is on her tongue.

26She hath opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue.

27She gives attention to the ways of her family, she does not take her food without working for it.

27She hath looked well on the paths of her house, and hath not eaten her bread idle.

28Her children get up and give her honour, and her husband gives her praise, saying,

28Her children rose up, and called her blessed: her husband, and he praised her.

29Unnumbered women have done well, but you are better than all of them.

29Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them all.

30Fair looks are a deceit, and a beautiful form is of no value; but a woman who has the fear of the Lord is to be praised.

30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

31Give her credit for what her hands have made: let her be praised by her works in the public place.

31Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates.